In A Nutshell
Recognized as one of the leading social critics in America, Ralph Nader’s consumer advocacy introduced landmark legislation. Decades later, Ralph highlights our history and progress and the importance of civic participation for solutions to our climate crisis.
About Ralph
As an author, lecturer, attorney, and political activist, Ralph Nader’s life-long work and advocacy have enhanced public awareness and increased government and corporate accountability. Ralph’s work has inspired a generation of consumer advocates, citizen activists, and public interest lawyers. His analyses and advocacy has led to safer cars, healthier food, safer drugs, cleaner air and drinking water, and safer work environments. In 2006, The Atlantic named Ralph one of the one hundred most influential figures in American history. TIME Magazine has called him the “U.S.’s toughest customer,” and in 1974, a U.S. News and World Report survey rated Ralph as the fourth most influential person in the United States. Ralph’s organizations include the Center for Study of Responsive Law, the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), the Center for Auto Safety, Public Citizen, Clean Water Action Project, the Disability Rights Center, the Pension Rights Center, the Project for Corporate Responsibility and The Multinational Monitor. His newest project: the American Museum of Tort Law in Winsted, Connecticut is the first law museum in America.
Breaking Through Power: It's Easier Than We Think
Nader, R. City Lights Books. 2016.
We need our planet more than it needs us. Human health and climate health are intimately intertwined.
We, individually and collectively, have a relationship with the planet we live on. Like the human body, the planet Earth is a complicated balance of elements that work in harmony to provide stability long into the future. When that balance is disrupted by unnatural events, such as human activity, our future is less certain.
When we consider human health, we must consider how the health of our climate health shapes it—whether it is the impact the climate has on the social determinants of health, the depletion of essential resources like water caused by a changing climate, how we can harness art to connect ourselves to our environment, or how united communities may have profound impacts.
Our speakers have a unique understanding of our connection to climate and its impact on our health. They ask us to consider how we may act as communities on a road toward a healthier world, both for our climate and ourselves.